New in TownGold Circle Films”New In Town” offers nothing original. It is a combination of every romantic comedy in existence. It features Renée Zellweger as Lucy, a Miami businesswoman whose job brings her to New Ulm, Minn., where she meets Ted (Harry Connick Jr.) and problems ensue. It is a typical “girl goes to small town, girl hates small town, small town grows on girl, girl saves small town” story. “New In Town” is predictably a boring film slightly heightened with some humorous scenes.D-C. VogelsThe UninvitedDreamworks Pictures (Paramount)Elizabeth Banks stars in “The Uninvited,” a film which is stuck somewhere between a psychological thriller and a horror flick. It can be very slow and tedious at times, especially when it shows overly drawn-out scary moments every 15 minutes. It is packed full of creepy dead children and a charred mother haunting her daughter. But if viewers stick through the entire movie, the surprise ending is totally worth it.CA. NorsworthyTaken20th Century FoxLiam Neeson convincingly plays Bryan Mills, a divorced, retired CIA agent trying to make up for lost time with his daughter Kim. When she is kidnapped in Europe, Bryan revives his spy training and goes through extreme measures to find her. He rampages through much of Paris and kills those involved in her kidnapping, but the audience knows he is a dedicated father, only becoming a spy again to save his daughter — Neeson grabs the viewer and never lets go.B+B. BourgeoisRed Jumpsuit ApparatusLonely RoadVirgin RecordsThe Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ new album “Lonely Road” is nothing different from their first. The album contains a mixed group of songs that showcases their lack of songwriting ability and talent. “You Better Pray” sounds like a song Nickelback and Hawthorne Heights wrote together, which is sure to please the ears. While some songs on the album could be popular singles, the band is better off forgetting about “Lonely Road” and focusing on making an album that doesn’t sound like every other whiney band.D-J. ChenierThe FrayThe FrayEpic RecordsAfter The Fray hit it big with 2005’s “How to Save a Life,” every 16 year-old girl was blaring The Fray’s first CD from their cars. No one could escape. Well, the band is back, making more Coldplay rip-off, formula based melodies for the tween aged group. The new tracks are weak and the whole CD is just bland. Audiences can listen to the first four songs and not realize they are four different songs. Now I’m not sure if that life was worth saving.C-J. ClappThe Von BodiesLove, Hate and Then There’s YouMajordomo RecordsThe Von Bondies are known mostly for their hit “C’mon, C’mon,” which is the theme song for FX’s “Rescue Me,” and for frontman Jason Stollsteimer’s public beatdown by Jack White. So, it makes sense that their new album “Love, Hate and Then There’s You” sounds so pissed off. The Bondies polish their garage rock sound while maintaining their punk rock roots. “Love, Hate” manages to transform frustration into catchy punk blues.B-B. LeJeuneEditor’s Pick:DiploDecent Work for Decent PayBig Dada RacordsFOR FANS OF: M.I.A., Justice, Spank RockMississippi native Wesley Pentz, better known by his DJ name Diplo, is known for mixing different styles of music from around the world. He has also gained fame by way of his association with acts such as M.I.A., Santogold, Plastic Little and Spank Rock. “Decent Work for Decent Pay,” a compilation of remixes, doesn’t fully showcase Diplo’s talent, but this album contains a few gems – “Solta o Frango” and “Newsflash,” to name a few. S. Aycock
Reveille Ranks – 2/5
February 5, 2009